Kimi Antonelli wins the Chinese Grand Prix as Hamilton secures first Ferrari podium

Mercedes continues strong start to the season

The Chinese Grand Prix confirmed that Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team has started the 2026 season in excellent form.

After a nearly perfect opening to the championship, many questions surrounded how the team would perform in Shanghai. Those doubts were answered with a commanding victory by Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

The Chinese Grand Prix also marked the first sprint weekend of the season, providing teams with an early indication of their pace in both short and long race conditions.

Key drivers unable to start the race

Before the race even began, several teams faced unexpected setbacks.

Both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were unable to start due to mechanical issues discovered in their cars.

A similar situation occurred with Gabriel Bortoleto, who was also forced to withdraw before the race began.

Incidents and retirements throughout the field

Further down the grid, the race featured multiple incidents and reliability problems.

Cars from Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team and Cadillac Formula 1 Team struggled throughout the race.

There was also contact between Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, with Pérez later taking responsibility for the incident.

By the end of the race, seven drivers had retired, highlighting the challenges teams are still facing with the new technical regulations.

Ferrari and Mercedes battle for podium positions

The most exciting action occurred at the front of the field.

Scuderia Ferrari and Mercedes delivered an intense strategic battle throughout the race.

While Antonelli maintained control of the lead for most of the event, the fight for the remaining podium spots came down to George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Antonelli makes history with first F1 victory

In the end, Andrea Kimi Antonelli crossed the finish line in first place, securing his first career Formula 1 victory.

At just 19 years old, the Italian driver became the second-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history.

The final podium was:

1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli

2. George Russell

3. Lewis Hamilton
   

Hamilton claims first Ferrari podium

The race was also significant for Lewis Hamilton, who achieved his first podium finish since joining Ferrari.

The result suggests the seven-time world champion is becoming increasingly comfortable with his new car after a challenging previous season.

Japan next on the F1 calendar

The next round of the championship will be the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for the weekend of March 27.

Another major development during the weekend was the news that both the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix could be cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East.

This leaves uncertainty about how the Formula 1 calendar will be adjusted following the race in Japan.